Learn to SUP

Learn to Kitesurf

Amazing Kite spots

your kitesurfing faq’s here are some tips on how to best decide if you are ready for kitesurfing

Want to start kitesurfing? Heres a quick getting started guide from the IKSA and my input from some common kitesurfing FAQ’s

The Irish Kitesurfing Association

The IKSA is the national governing body for kitesurfing in Ireland.
It represents Irish Kitesurfers on many issues including beach access for kitesurfers and organises a great calender of events and gatherings throughout the year
Membership for 09/10 will also include insurance and discounts on some kitesurfing shops.
We need your support as an organisation to help the sport grow safely in Ireland.
Check out www.iksa.ie for more details

To start kitesurfing you need to learn basic kite-flying skills on land first with a small trainer kite. you must get lessons with a qualified and fully insured instructor, what i say to people is would you fly a helicopter without lessons?

No! Compared to other sports like surfing or windsurfing, it is much easier to learn. The water in Duncannon and Rosslare where we teach is shallow flat waist high,perfect to start kitesurfing. Each of the steps are challenging and huge fun

No. When kitesurfing, most of the power of the kite comes through a harness worn around your waist. You only need your arms for steering, you can steer kite with your fingers, Kids as young as 8yrs old are kitesurfing and get on great as long as they have the right equipment an support from a parent.

Kiting is a sport for almost everyone, and you can push yourself as far as you want, or stick to the basics and stay within your comfort zone.

You can get started by investing anywhere from €600 to €1400, depending on the quality and newness of gear you choose. A kite, board, harness, bar and lines are all that’s truly needed (and wind), but you may require a life-vest or impact vest, wetsuit, booties, gloves, hood, a couple kites for varying seasons in Ireland. There are entry-level packages available, and now that the sport is getting more popular, kitesurfers are starting to sell their used gear on-line for less than new equipment.

Never kitesurf in offshore winds

If the wind direction is not right for your beach, DON’T GO OUT.
Try a different beach or try a different day.
Ask local kitesurfers for advise on the best beaches for the conditions
Tides need to be checked on some beaches as you might have nowhere to launch or land your kite.

Please put your name and phone number on all your gear so it can be
identified if found. If you do loose a kite or board out to sea please
notify the coastguard by dailling 999 or 112 and explaining the
situation.

Insurance

It is essential to get insurance for kitesurfing. You might injure someone else while you are in the water or launching and landing a kite on the beach. You may also cause yourself an injury.
Co. Councils expect all kitesurfers to have insurance and you may be asked to provide proof.

insurance is €45 per year with Irish Kitesurfing Association, you are fully insured during your lessons

Websites and Forums

There is a lot of information about kitesurfing on the Internet. A great place to start is www.iksa.ie There are links to many Irish websites from here. This site is regularly updated with whats going on in the community with events and a chat forum
There are lots of regional Facebook groups setup by IKSA that are very active so no one goes kitesurfing alone once finished lessons